My thoughts after reading Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern

Say What You Will … What’s not say about this book? Thought provoking was the first thing that came to mind after I read the last page of the book. Can I say something if I can say something, this book is wonderfully amazing. I don’t use the term emotional roller coaster, but to say that would not be doing the book justice. And hopefully I am not spoiling it too much for anyone who has not read the book yet.

Say What You Will is about Amy and Matthew who form a friendship that goes beyond love. When you first start reading the book you begin to learn that Amy has Cerebral Palsy and Matthew has OCD. But once you read it you forget about it. Well at least I did. Not in a bad way. I commend this book because it’s the first I have read with diversity in it. At the same time it makes you forget everyone is different but the same when it comes to matters of the heart. It respects the characters enough to not make their disabilities the thing that defines them.

It’s about how the power of friendship can bring about the best and worst in people. Worst not being always intentional, just something that happens when you care about someone so much that you are focused on wanting to help them you do not see that can hurt their feeling as well. Because you have tunnel vision and can’t see what is going on around you.

I read this book in two days. I could have read it in one day, but I do have to work. Don’t judge me. Just kidding. But I could have.

What I love about this story is how they are best friends and the whole time they know in their hearts they are in love. You can’t help but smile when Matthew and Amy are walking down the hallway and he blushes when he accidentally bumps into her. Or, when he talks about how pretty she is but she has no idea of what he thinks because he hasn’t told her. And you can’t help but see Matthew and Amy for who they really are past the physical or emotional disabilities.

That conversation Amy has with Matthew on their last day of summer is heartbreaking. I could not sleep after reading it. Seriously, I was like I can’t believe she said that to him about her and Sanjay. (I know as Holden would say, “fictional characters.”) I do know the point she as trying to make on why she slept with Sanjay, but my heart still broke for Matthew.

I know when after the baby was born Amy made the point again that she wanted to prove she could be independent. I felt like when Matthew said he was meant to be with her taking care for her, it is not the way she thought. He did not mean like the way her parents shelter her. Speaking of her parents I can’t believe her mother did not want Matthew to see Amy. I can’t believe she said if Matthew’s OCD has been disclosed he would never been a peer helper for Amy. I have a felling even if Amy did not have Cerebral Palsy, her mother would still think Matthew wasn’t good enough.

I smiled again while reading the last couple of pages of the book because with all that had happened Amy and Matthew found their way back to each other. What I took from this book was that sometimes real love is not perfect, it can be messy and sometimes people get hurt. But if two people truly love each other they can find each other no matter what. I love this book. I do hope I did not ruin it too much for anyone who has yet to read Say What You Will. Seriously you need to read it.

The Fault in Our Stars

What can I say about TFIOS that has not been said already? I’m not sure I can answer that, but I can say that I know what I’d like to share about it. Here it goes. I apologize in advance for any spoilers. Not that there will be any but just in case. And perhaps I am late writing about TFIOS but haven’t you ever read a book, or seen a movie that is so … well no words can describe it so you need time to absorb it.

 

A while ago I blogged about why can’t great fiction just be fiction. Why do we need to label it as YA or adult? In that same blog I mentioned The Fault In Our Stars. It was the first book in a long time that made me want to throw it across the room when I was done…in a good way. I know, “fictional characters.” (Sorry inside joke/side rant @DimesnsAndGalxs knows what I mean.)

One of the many things I love about this book outside of the story is that you do not have to be of a certain age to read this. This story and its writer do no mess around here. John Green does not hold back, and does not talk down to the readers.

I still can’t wrap my head around why things are called, cult classics. To me that just means only a certain people like this movie or that book. Why can’t we like something because we just do? And because it speaks to us. Sorry tangent.

I saw this movie this past weekend. One of the things I liked about the movie is that it appeals to everyone. Another words you do not have the read TFIOS before you watch the movie. It also does a good job capturing the essence of the story. To answer your question yes I cried. Okay, fine I admit it, I cried twice.

One of things I feel the book and movie do is make you reflect. If you truly love someone, its real love, not the fantasy of what love should be. (Ironic, I guess since I am talking about a book and a movie. Anywho.) Love is something that cannot be explained but it makes the world anew. I guess that is also kind of ironic how love is this wonderfully, amazing thing but if we are lucky we find it. One thing the book and the movie both do is teach is with true love you need to have a friendship because that is where the trust and respect come from.

Perhaps I am reading way too deep into TFIOS movie and TFIOS book but isn’t that what good books do? Open our eyes to a different world. And even though it is fiction it teaches us a little bit about ourselves. Stories that help us remember “hey have I told the person that I most love in the world,” okay?

What? Don’t judge me. Yes, that was a bit cheesy or what have you to use the famous “okay” to make my point, but I am not afraid to like cheese, or say how a story makes me feel. Shouldn’t the point be for us to connect to that story? Because when a reader is lucky enough to make that connection to a story, it makes our hearts bigger and our minds more open. At least that it what I think.

My thoughts after reading Ms. Marvel, Issue 4

Bruno, Bruno, Bruno. If Kamala can be herself, why can’t he just tell her how he feels? Come on Bruno! I do have to say I like his pseudo Jordan Catalano hair. I really am glad that Kamala decided to be herself instead of a different version of Ms. Marvel. It was good to see her come to the realization that a hero does not have to look a certain way.

 

Hopefully I am not reading too much into this, but I think that it’s also a symbol for Kamala’s, or anyone’s like in general – you do not have to be what everyone hopes for. Or live up to someone’s expectations. You just have to be yourself. And to do that you have to love yourself as you are. Sometime it is easier said than done. But when you have that type of aha moment, it’s the best feeling in the world.

And just typing that I feel kind of silly wondering if Kamala likes Bruno as well. (What? I believe in first loves. So sue me. And I enjoy when a girl in a story I relate to can be the victor.) I’m just wondering that because she wanted Bruno to continue with the whole “you kick butt at video games and you’re smart and funny.” I won’t get too much into that. Just wondering is all.

I like the costume Kamala ended up with. Burkini, tights, and a fanny pack. Got to have the fanny pack. I like it because it’s Kamala. I also like that it is comfortable and practical. Not all costumes for heroes need to be, well you know. That’s just my opinion. I think that girls can rule in comics no matter what they are wearing. (Yes I am old school COMICS!) However, it is refreshing to see something different in regards to costumes. 

So in conclusion, boys and girls, once you start believing in who you are its way easier not to have to be worried or anxious that you are not living up to someone else’s expectations. I really like Ms. Marvel because it goes beyond the comic to provide an example for girls, no matter what age. It’s a good balance of not taking itself TOO seriously, but having heart. Ms. Marvel you’re my hero. (She said in her Cameron to Ferris voice.)